I don't own Love Hina. Love Hina belongs to Ken Akamatsu. The story though is just a work of fiction. For all spelling and grammar mistakes I apologize in advance.

Legends

Conclusion

I

-

It was the first time I saw her cry.

For the countless days and nights that I have spent with her, her inner strength was her one quality I admired the most. Her courage and wisdom, her sense of pride was my only source of strength. For me she was an unyielding but fragile and beautiful sunflower under the burning glare of the sun.

She was my guiding light.

She was my love.

She was my only love.

And now… it seems… that the almighty Naru Narusegawa of the honourable Narusegawa clan, beset with deep heartache, torn between love and loyalty, has finally been defeated.

Her usual stubbornness, her usual hunger for life, her energy… everything about her has disappeared, overwhelmed with sorrow and despair.

And it made me angrier.

My heart that grew cold since the day the head of the Narusegawa clan refused my proposal for Naru's hand in marriage has gotten only colder.

All I wanted to do was – kill and destroy.

Her precious tears that dropped on the tatami floor echoed in the silence of the night and it flowed sinuously with mine. She was sitting on one of the soft cushions on the corner of her wide imperial room, facing the impressively carved table surrounded by faint glow of a perfumed candle light.

She knew I was there watching her.

And I was. Standing outside the window, wanting to reach her and touch her, comfort her between my arms, and rain her with kisses… but I knew… there was nothing more I could do.

She would marry soon.

In fact… she would marry the next day.

And this was the very reason why I stole this chance to see her again. Ignoring the risks of capture and foreseeable inhumane torture my body would receive under the cold and vengeful samurai clans, I moved with grim purpose inside the complex castle walls.

I would rather suffer and die a thousand deaths than not to see her one last time before her marriage.

"Keitaro…" Naru whispered without turning.

My heart leapt.

But I kept myself hidden in the darkness.

I don't want her to see me crying… I don't want her to see me torn, ruined by heartache and longing. Because I wasn't the man I used to be… for now I was nothing more but an enemy of the empire… an enemy of the nation I founded and raised. I was nothing more but a man of hatred and vengeance. This was what I was reduced to, stripped with pride, honour and privilege… brutally separated from the one that I love.

But what was pride? Where was honour?

I don't know.

I have forgotten.

She was the only one on my mind. And I was driven mad with desperation to be with her.

Kami… I wanted to touch her so much.

"I am so sorry Keitaro…" Naru whispered through her heavy sobs. She didn't move. She kept her head low and between the palms of her hands, "I love you… you know that… you know that you will be the only one for me… and I… I am so sorry… I am torn between you and loyalty to my clan and the empire…"

I wanted to tell her that I don't blame her. I wanted to tell her that it wasn't her fault.

But I kept my silence.

There was nothing more I could do.

I don't deserve her.

I don't want her to see the impurity of destruction in my mind, my heart and my soul.

Because all I wanted to do now was… kill… and… destroy.

"I want you to know… that… if we were to live in another time… in another place… I would love you… and I would choose you… above all else… I would love you till the day I die…"

And she would.

I would see her again one day.

I would readily offer my soul to the fire guardians of heavens just to be with my only desire.

And nothing would ever stop me.

Not even death.

And so for the first time that night unable to hold myself any longer, I broke my silence; I spoke with both passion and love for the last time, "I promise you… my soul will never rest… I will destroy Japan and everything else… and I will never stop… until the day I unite with you… either this life or the next…"

-

I felt her coming for me.

And I swung my sword to the right to block her attack.

The sudden clash of our blades created sparks that flashed in the vast darkness of the forest like lightning in a storm.

Then silence.

It has been weeks since I destroyed the countless armies the emperor sent to kill me. I eluded capture and I annihilated them one by one, defiling the villages with rivers of blood. My utter defiance was simple – for every village I single-handedly burnt to the ground I leave the imperial emblems on the charred grounds to remind anyone that this was a personal battle against the imperial family. Anyone who interferes would die a horrifying death. And so the emperor in the last desperate move to kill me forced the five infamous samurais that I personally trained to hunt me down.

And she was the most stubborn of them all.

I felt immense pride in my heart.

She was the best that I have ever trained and the most skilful of all my apprentices. She has the heart and soul of a warrior, fiercely dedicated to her clan, strict follower of bushido - way of the samurai. She was a woman to be reckoned with. And I never regretted that I passed to her the most devastating attack any man could ever use.

"ROCK-SPLITTING SWORD!"

I jumped to the side to avoid the tremendous ball of energy that flew furiously towards me, uprooting trees out of the way, burrowing to the ground with incredible speed and resulting to an explosion that rocked the whole mountain forest.

And just when I thought I was safe, I heard a rushing sound above me.

Looking up, I found the fury that was Motoko Aoyoma of the fearless Aoyoma clan shooting down towards me. I smiled and I jumped to meet her attack, slashing my sword upward in a perfect arc.

If she was a man… I would have been killed. But the lightness of her body was her undoing as our sword impact dragged with the weight of my body and powerful swing of my sword pushed her roughly to the side that sent her crashing into the ground.

She was good.

She was an apprentice any teacher could hope for.

And I eternally regret that I have to kill her.

Motoko was kneeling and retching before me. And I waited for her to compose herself.

I may be a killer… but I still follow chivalry. I don't kill mindlessly. I never kill an unprepared opponent. As much as possible, I kill them at the peak of their battle rage. I kill them when I see the murderous intent in their eyes. For me… that was chivalry.

Suddenly, memories flashed before me. I remembered the first day Motoko came to my tent and begged me to accept her as an apprentice. I remembered the harsh training I imposed on her and four other samurais who came to my care and brought them all closer to death than any of them could have ever imagined. I remembered the way I kept Motoko away from major battles with the rebellion, almost acting like an overzealous father than a teacher, keeping her at my sight, protecting her with my sheer presence. I remembered the day Motoko broke all my rules and proved herself a worthy samurai warrior than any man I knew… the way her eyes gleam with menace as she killed mercilessly with unbelievable speed and accuracy. I remembered the day I finally decided that she would be the heir to a secret sword attack that could destroy armies with a single swing of a sword… and the reasons made me realise that she wasn't my little girl anymore… she has become a woman. She has grown.

And I was proud.

I felt that pride standing now the way I felt it before.

She was my Motoko.

"Motoko-chan… there is no shame in admitting defeat. Tell Seta-san that I escaped… you can tell him any story you want… and I promise as the spirits of the mountain and the trees as my witnesses that not a single soul would ever know what has happened here…" I loathe destroying my only pride and joy.

And Motoko looked up to me.

And those burning eyes brought me back to the time I started seeing her as a formidable adversary.

There was an ugly snarl on her face that reminded me of rabid dogs. Her long silky hair was awry. Her shoulders were hunched, trembling and quivering. Her knuckles were white, gripping her sword savagely.

She slowly opened her mouth and whispered inaudibly – "Baka…"

For the first time in my life I knew how fear felt like.

Then Motoko disappeared.

In a flash, a sword came slashing towards my neck but it perturbed me to notice that it was slanted upwards which slowed it down giving me time to block it with my sword handle.

Then a kick behind me drove me to the ground.

I turned and I found Motoko looming over me with her sword ready to strike.

I kept my eyes on her face. If I have to die… I would die knowing the satisfaction on my killer's eyes.

My last dying memories would be of the raging beauty of the best samurai I have ever moulded. I would die happy and proud.

And so I surrendered. I bowed low to the ground, placing my sword before me. I said, "There is nothing more I could teach you… you have proven yourself… and before I die… I would like you to know that it has been a privilege knowing you… It has been a privilege teaching you. I have never met a finer apprentice or a worthy opponent,"

Then I raised my head hoping that if I look up, the merciful killing blade would cut my head in one stroke and so immortalise the last face I would ever see.

But what I saw astounded me.

Motoko was crying.

Then in a single movement, she threw her sword aside and wrapped her arms around me sobbing and trembling. Her head was buried on my chest as I felt her warm tears soak my clothes. And between her heavy sobs I could hear her say, "Baka… baka… sempai… baka… sempai… sempai…"

And we stayed like that for a while, kneeling on the ground dirt, under the faint moonlight and clear cloudless sky in the middle of a dark and quiet forest.

And my thoughts were filled with an ache that I have long forgotten. I could smell her scent. I could feel the softness of her skin. I could sense the exquisite way her body shiver.

How I wished we could stay like this forever.

A teacher and his student locked in an eternal embrace.

Then Motoko slowly lifted her head. She looked straight at me. Her teary eyes broke me… she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Then I felt her hand behind my head. I was captivated with her lips. I was drawn to it. And with strained slowness, I felt her hand pushing me closer to her. My mind was screaming for sense… but I finally gave in.

We kissed.

Motoko's lips dove into mine with a hunger that astonished me. I could feel her hand around my head pushing me closer as if our locked lips were not enough. I could feel the intensity of her needs. She wanted me. She wanted all of me.

But I withdrew.

"Motoko… I…" I tried to speak between breaths.

Motoko pursed her lips then slowly nodded. She untangled herself away from me… missing her warmth the moment she withdrew her arms. And then she bowed.

She whispered, "Sempai… I…"

"Don't apologize," I said, wanting the awkward moment between us to pass.

But Motoko looked up to me again with a determined face, she looked even lovelier, "No… sempai…" A deep sigh, "It hurts me… it hurts me to see you like this. I know that I can never be compared to princess Naru, in your eyes I will forever be a student… to you I am nothing more than a warrior… a killer… a murderer… a tool of destruction… but I… I wanted you to know that it hurts me… it hurts me to see you suffer…"

Motoko's eyes were flowing with tears that sparkled under the faint light of clear night sky.

"It hurts me... to see you torn apart... and it hurts me that this is all I could do..."

She looked away. As if the inevitable truth between us was causing her undue pain. It was not meant to be.

"I tried so hard... but no matter what I do... no matter how hard I try... your heart could never be mine... and it hurts me... "

Then suddenly Motoko stood and bowed again.

She turned with her hair waving in the cold summer breeze and walked away. She disappeared in the darkness.

And finally I understood.

Everything she said... everything she did.

"Thank you… Motoko..." I bowed.

I left my sword on the ground.

And I never picked one ever again.

-

I don't know how long I have been asleep.

But the last thing I remembered was sitting on top of a hill, watching the sunset before the pain of hunger overcame my senses.

I could not remember how long I have been on the road. All I could think of was how hungry I was. My last meal was already a distant memory. And watching the skies, the sun rising and falling from the sea to the mountains was the one thing that occupied my dying state.

I have not eaten for a long time. Devoid of weapons or any means to feed myself… I trudged along the roads senselessly in desolation and starvation not caring for wherever my feet take me.

And I was haunted by ghosts of the past.

I was running away from familiar faces.

And the unbearable pain of my stomach drove me to insanity.

Have I lost my mind?

Yes.

For instance - I was supposed to know a princess who married a powerful prince and now the couple was trying to overtake the ruling imperial family. And I was supposed to be acquainted with an infamous swordswoman who has allegedly destroyed the last rebellion stronghold using a devastating attack that sent men flying into the sky. I was supposed to know these incredible people who filled the current rumours of the land.

Rubbish.

How could a man who couldn't even feed himself know of such privileged and renowned individuals? How could a man who cries at the sight of a faint candlelight and smiles at a clear night sky be considered sane by any man? How could a man who laughs for no apparent reason be given attention?

No…

I have seen several strangers looking at me with disgust and annoyance. And some even gave a surprised knowing look but would only shake their heads as if they thought they saw someone they knew but they didn't.

But how could they?

My hair has grown long and grey. My beard was thick and awry. My clothes were torn and shady. I don't have a weapon, I am unarmed and defenceless. I have nothing. I don't know anything.

But I do know one thing.

I do know that I was running.

But from who or even what… I could no longer remember.

There was only hunger…

"Ara! Ara! You're awake! That's good,"

I snapped my eyes open. And I found myself on the ground wrapped with thick layers of old but clean rags. There was an aromatic smell in the air. I could not help but drool.

Then a kind beautiful face came into my view.

A goddess?

Maybe.

"Ara! Ara! You don't look too well! You better start eating,"

Then a crude wooden bowl was placed before me.

Rice.

Then I ate.

And I ate like a dog. Eating every single morsel, not wanting to waste anything… I even ate the ones that fell accidentally on the dirt ground. It does not matter to me. I ate with a disgusting noise and speed but every time I emptied my bowl another one filled with rice would suddenly appear before me. And so I kept on eating and eating until the goddess could no longer provide.

"Ara! Ara! Forgive me but I don't have rice anymore! If you want I could cook you some again! Ara! Ara! I have never seen anybody eat as fast as you,"

I could only nod.

And the goddess disappeared for moment then she came back to sit beside me.

We just sat there like that in silence waiting for the rice to cook. I was busy looking around the small hut while she burned me with her inquisitive eyes. I avoided her eyes.

I suddenly felt… ashamed.

A dirty man like me inside a small and clean hut, it does not make sense.

It was very inappropriate for me to be there.

Especially alone with her.

Then she broke her silence, "Ara! Ara! Where are my manners! My name is Mutsumi Otohime," Mutsumi cheerfully bowed.

Otohime... Mutsumi...

The goddess has a name.

My goddess...

My saviour...

The goddess named Mutsumi suddenly clapped her handsthen she asked, "So what's your name?"

What was my name?

I don't know.

I can't remember.

Kei… Kei... taro… Keitaro… Keitaro… "Keitaro…" I mumbled.

"Really," Mutsumi beamed, "Well then! It's very nice to meet you Keitaro,"

I nodded, unable to go further.

"I found you at the hill where I usually let my cow graze… and so I brought you here," She said it as if it was the most common thing to do. Bring home a dirty stranger.

"I…" I started… feeling the warmth on my cheeks as I suddenly realised that this woman saved my life. I was dying with hunger. And seeing me on my hopeless state she took me to her home to help… a man like me does not deserve such kindness. I bowed low, "I thank you for your kindness Otohime-sama…"

Mutsumi glowed with delight, "Ara! Ara! It is so nice to be called like that! But it's inappropriate Kei-kun! Just call me Mutsumi-chan or maybe even Mu-chan,"

"Eh?"

"Ara! Ara! Don't blush like that! I bet you look good under that thick hair! Tomorrow, I could cut it for you,"

"But Otohime-sama you don't have to…"

"Yes I do! And I wanted to!"

I sighed. I conceded.

Mutsumi stood and went for the corner of the hut that seemed to resemble a small kitchen.

But I called out for her, "Otohime-sama… I… don't deserve your kindness… I don't know how to repay you… I'm not even sure if I could…"

But Mutsumi ignored me and continued to serve me. She placed the crude wooden bowl filled with white steaming rice on my lap and smiled. She watched me with amusument as I eagerly held the cup with a loving tenderness as if it might vanish into thin air.

I could only dream.

Then she said, "I know a way you can pay me,"

I stopped half way through the rice bowl, "Eh?"

"You could start by helping me collect the rice stalks tomorrow,"

I stared at her for moment… then I slowly nodded, "Hai…"

"Then the next day we could start the day by filling the rice sacks to sell for the market,"

"Eh?"

"Then the day after that, you could help me repair the roof because rainy season would start soon… so we better get this hut ready for the monsoon,"

I stared at her open mouthed as she merrily went through the list of chores to be done.

"But Otohime-sama…"

Mutsumi paused for a moment after trying to outline to me almost nonsensically the way to a close stream that I should be using to gather drinking water. She smiled brightly to me and whispered, "You don't have to run Keitaro… you don't need to run anymore… nobody's chasing you,"

For a moment, I just stared at her.

I shivered.

The goddess named Mutsumi, who found me and fed me, reached out to gently hold my trembling hand. She whispered soothingly, "You can stay here with me… I'll take good care of you… there is no need to run... you're already home,"

And after for what seems like an eternity… I cried.

And I cried.

Somebody found me.

I was no longer lost.

-

"So that's how it is…"

Keitaro blinked.

"That's all you remember? Humans are pathetic… it took you seven hundred years… pitiful,"

Keitaro turned around but the whiteness of his surrounding was blinding and confusing. He was standing in the middle of a vast empty whiteness. He felt an odd lightness in his body.

"Where am I?" it was the first question that came to Keitaro's mind, whirling around wanting the source of the voice to appear.

"Inside the sword of course," a mock reply echoed the bewildering place.

"What do you mean?"

Then suddenly Keitaro doubled in pain as he felt something heavy dropped on his head. His eyes watered as he screwed his face, his hands over his head. Something struck him. Something struck him hard.

"Not too bright are you,"

Keitaro looked up and found a man with long brown hair, pale skin and battle scarred face standing before him.

There was a smug look etched on the man's face.

"You still don't get it do you?" the man asked in exasperation.

Keitaro could only shake his head.

"And you are supposed to be the second…" the man sighed, "Well… nothing has changed… you are as clueless as the first…"

Keitaro slowly nodded then asked, "Who… who are you?"

The man stared him down and replied, "I am the guardian of the sword… and you… you are Keitaro Urashima… the second… you are the first reincarnation… and this," the man opened his arms and pointed to the surrounding, "is the essence of your vengeance… as we have agreed seven hundred years ago…" the man's finger pointed down on Keitaro, "you decide Keitaro Urashima…"

"Decide? Decide on what?"

"Do you want to destroy Japan?"

Hei there guys and gals! I am very sorry for the delay of this chapter. I didn't expect the length to be so long so I have to reedit it and cut it in half. It was just too long. So the next chapter would be up soon! But I want everybody to read this piece first before I upload the next one so I would know what you think of it and edit the second part of the conclusion appropriately! I wouldn't want to shock you that much… would I?

I was actually considering on writing a prequel to this fanfic of mine. Just a romantic tale of Love Hina cast set on Ancient Japan… Keitaro's arrival on Japan… how he met the girls and finally to the tragic end. I also added a bonus chapter on the second conclusion about the how the first Kanako met the first Keitaro upon landing on Japanese shores. At least that would give you an idea of how it is seven hundred years before the Mongolian invasion.

I would like to thank my reviewers for their patience. Your reviews gave me inspiration on how I should bring the story to the fore and I sincerely hope that you are happy with what has been happening! So please tell me what you think! Only one last chapter to go – the second part of this conclusion… please hang around a little while longer!

Catch u all later! Cheers!

nivremous